Physician Interviews About Patient Blood Management

UPMC physicians share their thoughts about patient blood management before, during, and after surgery.

• Patient Blood Management and Hip/Knee Surgery: Michael R. Pagnotto, MD, is a fellowship-trained specialist in hip and knee replacement surgery. Read this interview to learn more about how he uses patient blood management in orthopaedic surgery.
• Patient Blood Management and Orthopaedic Surgery Issues: Brian R. Hamlin, MD, explains a variety of techniques for reducing surgical blood loss in treating diseases of the hip and knee.
• Patient Blood Management and Cardiology: Read this interview with John Schindler, MD, to find out how patients that cannot be transfused can find respectful care for their cardiology concerns.
• Patient Blood Management and Minimally Invasive Gynecologic Surgery:Suketu Mansuria, MD, discusses bloodless medicine and surgery as an option for patients who may be considering minimally invasive gynecologic surgery.
• Blood Management in the 21st Century: Anthony DiGioia, MD, and Brian Hamlin, MD, physicians at the Orthopaedic Program at Magee-Womens Hospital of UPMC discuss the impact of transfusion and the use of packed red blood cells as they relate to total joint arthroplasty.
• Patient Blood Management and Perfusion: Robert Dyga, RN, discusses the role of a perfusionist, the reasons a surgical patient may decide against receiving blood from another person, blood recovery, and other autologous techniques.
• Patient Blood Management and Colorectal Issues: David Medich, MD, explains the benefits of having a colonoscopy and how this type of screening is available for individuals who cannot accept blood transfusions.
• Patient Blood Management and Gynecologic Oncology:  Joseph L. Kelley, MD, reviews patients' bloodless medicine options when seeking treatment for breast cancer, ovarian cancer, endometrial cancer, cervical and vaginal cancer, and trophoblastic disease.
• Patient Blood Management and Plastic Surgery: Sandeep Kathju, MD, discusses the importance of reducing blood loss during plastic surgical procedures, and how it may have a positive affect on the healing process.
• Patient Blood Management and Shoulder Replacement Surgery: Thomas Hughes, MD, discusses shoulder replacement surgery and the steps taken preoperatively to prepare patients with blood transfusion preferences for surgery.

Contact Us

For more information about the Patient Blood Management Program at UPMC, please contact us at 1-877-674-7111.

What's New

Heart Transplant Without Blood Transfusion

During a recent virtual seminar, David James Kaczorowski, MD, who specializes in cardiothoracic transplantation, discussed expanded treatment options for heart transplant patients who cannot accept blood transfusions. For details, read the article, “Heart Transplant Without Blood Transfusion.”  If you would like to be kept up to date on future seminars, please submit your email address in the “Contact Us” tab.

Now Online: Our Release From Liability (RFL) Form

If you wish to refuse blood and/or blood products for a procedure, hospital stay, etc., you can save time by completing a Release From Liability for Failure to Administer Blood Transfusion Form (RFL) for Patients Who Decline Transfusions (PDF).

Are you pregnant or do you know someone who is?

Bloodless medicine solutions are available for expecting mothers who choose not to receive blood transfusions. Connect with a bloodless medicine advocate early in your pregnancy and learn about available options. Call 877-674-7111 to get started.